Hong Kong Workers Frustrated by Pay Disparities as New Hires Earn More Than Veterans
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A frustrated Hong Kong employee shared on the LIHKG discussion forum on September 12, 2026, that discovering pay disparities has completely drained their motivation to work. The poster revealed that a newly hired colleague earns several thousand dollars more, while a former colleague deemed incompetent now commands nearly double the salary at a new job. Despite maintaining excellent performance with solid recommendation letters from previous supervisors, the worker struggles to negotiate better pay, with HR refusing to budge even by $5,000. The post sparked widespread discussion, with netizens advising the worker to stop overcommitting and focus on finding a better opportunity elsewhere.
Key Points
- The worker initially accepted that new hires might earn more but was shocked to learn the gap was "a few thousand" Hong Kong dollars
- The more devastating discovery came when learning that a former colleague, described as "incompetent" at work, now earns "almost double" at their new position
- Despite receiving strong performance evaluations and recommendation letters from past supervisors, the poster's interview attempts failed to secure better compensation, with HR rejecting even a modest $5,000 increase
- Netizens overwhelmingly advised adopting a passive approach: "do only what your salary warrants, never do extra" and suggested the classic mantra "a fish won't grow fat without changing ponds"
- Commenters recommended either coasting at the current job while mentally preparing for departure, or channeling energy into job hunting rather than overworking
Why It Matters
This case highlights the growing frustration among Hong Kong's white-collar workers as salary freezes and wage disparities become increasingly common amid the city's economic downturn. The phenomenon of "loyalty penalties"—where long-serving employees earn less than newcomers—reflects broader concerns about workplace fairness and the diminishing returns of dedication in today's job market. For Hong Kong readers, the discussion serves as a reminder that strategic career moves may yield better results than sustained effort at a single employer.
This case highlights the growing frustration among Hong Kong's white-collar workers as salary freezes and wage disparities become increasingly common amid the city's economic downturn. The phenomenon of "loyalty penalties"—where long-serving employees earn less than newcomers—reflects broader concerns about workplace fairness and the diminishing returns of dedication in today's job market. For Hong Kong readers, the discussion serves as a reminder that strategic career moves may yield better results than sustained effort at a single employer.